MIT Rallies to Defeat Newbury in Five Sets

Mar 02, 2010

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The MIT men’s
volleyball team gave Newbury College its first North East
Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) New England Division loss
following a 30-22, 22-30, 24-30, 30-23, 15-13 thriller on Tuesday
night. Of the 10 previous meetings between both programs, only one
other match went to five sets and it was won by the Engineers in
2008.

Matt Hohenberger led MIT (18-6, 9-2 NECVA) with a match-high 22
kills to go along with three blocks and three aces. David Thomas
posted 15 kills, three blocks, and two aces as Mike Demyttenaere
totaled 11 kills and four blocks. Garrett Winther compiled 10
kills, six digs, and five blocks while Patrick Vatterott rounded
out the front row with eight kills and six blocks. Tim Lee tallied
54 assists, eight digs, and two blocks as Jeremy Velazquez chipped
in eight digs and two aces. Eric Reuland collected eight digs
followed by six from Alex Becherer while Caine Jette dished out
eight assists.

The Engineers quickly established a 6-2 lead in the first set, but
Newbury narrowed the gap to two on three occasions, the last
courtesy of a 4-1 spurt which made the score 16-14. The Cardinal
and Gray picked up the next three points to gain some breathing
room and eventually extended its advantage to six (23-17). The
Nighthawks continued to attack, coming within four points as late
as 26-22. However, they could not sustain the rally as the hosts
recorded the final four points of the frame.

Newbury controlled the early stages of the second set as it held a
13-8 advantage. A strike by David Thomas off of the
Nighthawks’ block, followed by a kill from Demyttenaere, and
a block by the duo quickly cut MIT’s deficit to two (13-11).
The Nighthawks responded with a 6-1 run that resulted in their
largest lead of the game. The Engineers rattled off the next four
points as they came within three (19-16), but each side picked up a
pair of points to maintain the slight gap. Newbury generated
another 6-1 spurt which increased its margin to 27-19. Kills from
Hohenberger and Winther in addition to a hitting error kept
MIT’s hopes alive, but a miscue and strikes from Aberly and
Danny Kim gave the visitors the win.

The start of the third set featured six ties and three lead changes
until Newbury registered four points in a row, including
back-to-back aces by David Thomas to go up, 12-9. A kill by
Hohenberger kept the Engineers close, but the Nighthawks slowly
inched out to a 27-19 advantage. Hits from David Thomas and a trio
of miscues brought MIT within four (29-24), however, a block by
Talamantes and Mark Thomas wrapped up the frame for Newbury.

With the fourth set knotted at nine, the Engineers mounted an 11-5
run to go ahead, 20-14. The Nighthawks battled back, coming within
three on a trio of occasions, twice on kills by Mark Thomas and the
final time at 26-23. A strike by Lee prompted a timeout from
Newbury. MIT maintained its momentum following the break as it
rattled off the last three points and forced a decisive fifth
set.

The Nighthawks held a 3-2 edge in the final frame, but the
Engineers capitalized on a trio of miscues and a kill from
Demyttenaere go in front, 6-4. Two MIT errors quickly evened the
score, however, a Hohenberger hit and a block by Vatterott and Lee
gave the Engineers the lead at the changeover. Newbury posted four
out of the next six points to tie the score at 10. The Engineers
recorded back-to-back points, but James Beck’s hit off the
block cut the Nighthawks’ deficit in half. After trading
sideouts, David Thomas gave MIT match point with strike off
Newbury’s block. Aberly extended the contest with kill from
the back row but Demyttenaere found open space on the court to
place the final hit.

Both squads will compete in tournaments this weekend. MIT will host
its annual invitational while Newbury will travel to Medaille
College for the Purple and Gold Invitational.